Kester's TNA Impact Wrestling Rundown: Bully Ray explains his involvement with Aces and Eights, Jeff Hardy puts his number one contendership on the line, and James Storm and AJ Styles continue their feud

By Ryan Kester

Bully Ray Videos

These various video packages were easily the highlight of the evening for me. TNA needed to do something to help fill in the plot holes from Bully Ray's babyface run and I feel they did an adequate job of accomplishing their goal. It was by no means perfect and they certainly glossed over large sections of the story, but I appreciated the effort put in and TNA's production team deserves ample credit for finding footage to supplement Ray's explanation.

I also enjoyed Ray and Brooke Hogan's brief interaction on the show. They managed to have the two face to face without giving too much away. Ray looked sleazy and Brooke did a good job of looking distraught. I can't believe I am saying this, but I am looking forward to more from Brooke and Ray down the line, and I hope Chris Shore is correct in his prediction that Brooke Hogan will be turning heel with Ray down the line.

Jeff Hardy

The way TNA got to the fatal four-way for the number one contendership was sloppy. There was no reason for Hardy to put his rematch clause on the line. I understand they were looking for a hook to the show, but they did it at the expense of making Hardy look like a fool. A courageous fool, sure, but a fool nonetheless.

The match that resulted was at least entertaining. I particularly enjoyed the match's finish. I wasn't expecting it when it happened and it made Hardy look quite resourceful. He doesn't often hit the Swanton out of nowhere like that, and I hope TNA finds the means to have that happen again a few more times to sell it as a move that hardy always has at his disposal.

AJ Styles and James Storm

I'm not sure how I feel about the direction they are taking Styles. They needed to do something with the men as his standard "phenomenal" gimmick was getting rather stale. However, something is just keeping me from investing heavily into his new persona. I'm just not buying him as a as a brooding badass considering how his character was before he left. I imagine a large part of my reservations stems from my impression that Styles will eventually turn back into a face and go against Aces and Eights.

Still, if they're going to be going with angle I am glad they have Styles paired up with Storm. Storm did a good job of handling his end of the segment last night. Eventually, Styles is going to have to speak, but at least in the interim TNA has one of their stronger mic guys involved in the story.

Overall Show

Last night's show was enjoyable. There wasn't much progression throughout the majority of the show in various storylines, but that's ok because the entire affair was dedicated to explaining Bully Ray's involvement with Aces and Eights. I feel like they accomplished the goals they had for the evening and they did so with better pacing and solid matches.

If you have any questions or comments or just wish to chat with a fellow wrestling fan about whatever, then feel free to email me at ryan.kester@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter.